I finally got around to reading, viewing some of this video:
https://www.hdforums.com/articles/vi...h-of-the-dyna/
why are they talking about the softail years like it just came out in 2018, and that marked the 'end of the dyna..'? I owned a 2015 softail slim? And did they really keep making dyna glides until 2017-18?

 

They were swallowed up into the new softail line. There's a couple of softails that have a Dyna related name,but they're not really a Dyna to me.

 

The original softail frame, with dual shocks mounted under the rear of the frame, and a then newly designed triangular swing arm, that followed the lines of the frame to look like a hardtail, was introduced in the 1984 model year. It stayed relatively unchanged through 2017.

The current Softail models were first offered in 2018.... They are not related to the original softail models in anything but name only. They have a completely redesigned frame with a mono-shock suspension, where the shock is mounted on top of the frame under the seat. To many of us, the 2018+ Softails, are not really "Softails". Harley used the success and reputation of the old Softail line to market the new "Mono-Shock" frame models with the new M8 engines.

Also, not coincidentally, 2017 was the last year for a true Dyna model, with dual, side mounted shocks on the swing arm. Dynas had a long legacy as the performance, and "Canyon Carver" Harley bikes. Harley also used the success and reputation of the old Dyna line, to promote the new "Mono-Shock" frame models with the M8 engine.

So in reality, the current Softail line actually did start in 2018. The 2018+ "Softails" are no more actual "Softails" than they are "Dynas".. They are totally new Harley models.

IMHO, Harley called them "Softails", and introduced "Softail" models that previously had "Dyna" frames, in an attempt to market the new "Mono-Shock" frame bikes with M8 engines, while banking on the reputations and popularity of the prior true Softails and true Dynas.

 

The Harley Davidson FX Super Glide was introduced in 1971.
Yamaha designed in 1972 and introduced the first production monoshock suspended bike in 1973. Soon after, Bill Davis was experimenting with modifying a FX Super Glide with a "Softail" suspension design prototype, which he sold to Harley Davidson.
Harley introduced the first softail in 1984.
The Dyna models were introduced in 1991, and ran until 2017.

 

Really interesting stuff, thanks guys!

 

Not sure he sold it & got what he wanted, he basically was financially bad off & pitched it to Willie G, his second attempt at selling worked as HD changed the design somewhat - theres stories saying he got screwed but ...... who knows. Its an interesting story for sure.